SARS-CoV-2 Wastewater Surveillance: Evaluation of Pilot Method in West Michigan Areas
Description
PURPOSE: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the etiologic agent of the ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has been used to analyze markers in wastewater influent characterizing emerging chemicals, drug use patterns, or disease spread within communities. WBE could be used as a pre-screening tool for COVID-19 to better target clinical testing needs in communities with limited resources. SUBJECTS: Samples were taken from 22 sites within Muskegon and Ottawa County as well as Grand Valley State University in Allendale and downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Evaluation of the pilot method drafted by Michigan State University has been seen as a reliable approach to population-based detection of SARS-CoV-2. Three RT-ddPCR assays (N1, N2, E) were used to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA in twice-weekly sample events. Samples taken assessed viral proteins and attributed the viral load associated with a geographic location within the waterways in the area. ANALYSES: Sample site locations saw fluctuations in presence of viral RNA that agreed with current clinical outbreak data when compared using R software. RESULTS: Frequency of detections and overall concentrations of RNA within samples increased from early November-December then began to plateau as interventions and lock-down measures increased. CONCLUSION: As the COVID-19 pandemic wanes and vaccine distribution increases, it is likely that communities will see increased incidence of localized outbreaks. Outcomes seen in this and other research studies suggest that WBE is a valuable early warning alert and a helpful complementary surveillance tool to public health responses.
SARS-CoV-2 Wastewater Surveillance: Evaluation of Pilot Method in West Michigan Areas
PURPOSE: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the etiologic agent of the ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has been used to analyze markers in wastewater influent characterizing emerging chemicals, drug use patterns, or disease spread within communities. WBE could be used as a pre-screening tool for COVID-19 to better target clinical testing needs in communities with limited resources. SUBJECTS: Samples were taken from 22 sites within Muskegon and Ottawa County as well as Grand Valley State University in Allendale and downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Evaluation of the pilot method drafted by Michigan State University has been seen as a reliable approach to population-based detection of SARS-CoV-2. Three RT-ddPCR assays (N1, N2, E) were used to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA in twice-weekly sample events. Samples taken assessed viral proteins and attributed the viral load associated with a geographic location within the waterways in the area. ANALYSES: Sample site locations saw fluctuations in presence of viral RNA that agreed with current clinical outbreak data when compared using R software. RESULTS: Frequency of detections and overall concentrations of RNA within samples increased from early November-December then began to plateau as interventions and lock-down measures increased. CONCLUSION: As the COVID-19 pandemic wanes and vaccine distribution increases, it is likely that communities will see increased incidence of localized outbreaks. Outcomes seen in this and other research studies suggest that WBE is a valuable early warning alert and a helpful complementary surveillance tool to public health responses.